Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era Crosses 1 Million Copies and Reveals Its Early Access Roadmap
Released in Early Access on April 30, 2026, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era — developed by Unfrozen, published by Hooded Horse — surpassed 500,000 copies sold in its first 72 hours. On May 28, 2026, the studio announced crossing the one million copies milestone in under a month, simultaneously releasing a detailed preliminary Early Access roadmap.
One million copies, concrete timelines, and structured stages: this revival of the legendary strategy franchise is built to last.
Table of Contents
- Where Is the Game Now?
- Stage 1 — Q3 2026: Teamplay and Advanced Map Generator
- Stage 2 — Q4 2026: Matchmaking, Subclasses, and Replays
- Long-Term Goals: Underground, Roguelike, and Full Campaign
- What This Means for the Franchise
Where Is the Game Now? {#game-state}
The Early Access already features six playable factions — Temple, Grove, Dungeon, Necropolis, Schism, and Hive — with customizable heroes, city development, and turn-based tactical battles on hexagonal battlefields. The game is priced at $39.99 on Steam and is also part of PC Game Pass since launch.
Since April, Unfrozen has shipped several patches: multiplayer UI improvements, turn-timer refinements for fairer online matches, crash fixes, and a new “Moderate” difficulty setting. For a full look at the game’s launch state, check out our HoMM: Olden Era Early Access review.
Stage 1 — Q3 2026: Teamplay and Advanced Map Generator {#stage-1}
The community’s most requested feature leads the roadmap. Stage 1 (planned for Q3 2026) includes:
- Teamplay Mode — team vs team (2v2, 3v3) against other players or AI. Unfrozen confirmed this is the single most-requested feature.
- Advanced Random Map Generator — more customization options: density settings, zone types, and events for greater variety.
- Hero Skills Rebalance — in-depth revision of the skill system to break rigid metas and encourage build diversity.
- Emote Wheel Update — social experience improvements for online play.
Stage 2 — Q4 2026: Matchmaking, Subclasses, and Replays {#stage-2}
Stage 2 (Q4 2026) focuses on competitive infrastructure and class depth:
- Matchmaking System Rework — redesigned queue for more balanced games, especially in ranked modes.
- Subclass System Rebalance — revising advanced class progression for more viable tournament diversity.
- Observer Mode & Replays — watch live games or review your own battles; essential for competitive improvement.
- Alternative Creature Upgrade Rebalance — upgrade choices should carry greater strategic weight.
Long-Term Goals: Underground, Roguelike, and Full Campaign {#long-term}
Beyond the two stages, the roadmap lists general Early Access objectives:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Underground Layer | A simultaneous map level with unique terrain, objects, and music — a HoMM III hallmark |
| Thieves’ Guild | Return of the espionage institution from the classic series |
| Tier 8 Neutral Creatures | High-tier neutral creatures populating the maps |
| Map Editor Improvements | Enhanced editor and map-sharing between players |
| Ironman Mode | Permadeath for the solo campaign |
| Match Statistics | End-of-match data for performance analysis |
| New PvE Mode | An alternative co-op or solo mode in development |
| Roguelike Mode | Procedural runs — currently being explored |
| Complete Solo Campaign | Finalizing the game’s main story |
The Underground Layer is particularly anticipated — it’s one of HoMM III’s defining mechanics, and its absence in the current build remains the clearest sign that the game is still under development.
What This Means for the Franchise {#franchise}
One million copies in under a month — for an Early Access title in a franchise that had been dormant for years — sends an unmistakable signal: the demand was real. Unfrozen delivered something solid enough to win over players well beyond nostalgic HoMM III fans.
The roadmap is clearly structured with concrete timelines, a sharp contrast with vague Early Access projects that keep milestones intentionally fuzzy. If Unfrozen delivers on the Q3/Q4 schedule, Olden Era could reach a very complete state before end of 2026, well ahead of a full 1.0 launch.
Whether you’re a HoMM III veteran or new to the franchise, this is a strong moment to jump in.